Method and apparatus for transferring ink, varnish or adhesive during laminating and printing, particularly flexographic printing

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for transferring ink, varnish or adhesive during laminating or printing, particularly flexographic printing, operates with a roller in the form of a smooth roller for transferring the material from the smooth roller to a substrate. A plurality of spray modules arranged next to each other and individually controllable is provided for spraying the material onto one or more cylindrical portions of the smooth roller. A doctor blade is arranged following the point of transfer of the material as seen in the direction of rotation of the smooth roller.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of transferring a material selected from ink, varnish or adhesive during laminating or printing, particularly flexographic printing, the method comprising spraying the material onto a smooth roller and transferring the material from a smooth roller onto a substrate.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to    claim 1   , comprising removing excess material after the material transfer from the smooth roller using a doctor blade.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to    claim 1   , comprising controlling a quantity of the material independently of a speed of operation of the roller.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to    claim 1   , comprising utilizing a modular spray technology for spraying the material onto one or more cylindrical portions of the smooth roller.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to    claim 4   , comprising variably controlling a color intensity of individual cylindrical portions when spraying ink onto the smooth roller.  
     
     
         6 . An apparatus for transferring a material selected from ink, varnish or adhesive during laminating or printing, particularly flexographic printing, the apparatus comprising a smooth roller for transferring the material onto a substrate and a plurality of spray modules mounted next to each other in an axial direction of the smooth roller for spraying the material onto the smooth roller.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to    claim 6   , wherein the spray modules are individually controllable with respect to quantity as well as intensity.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to    claim 6   , further comprising a doctor blade mounted following a point of material transfer in a direction of rotation of the smooth roller.